Focus Area Overview

Significant improvements in energy efficiency and the widespread deployment of renewable-energy technologies can reduce harmful greenhouse-gas emissions caused by burning fossil fuels. To reap meaningful environmental benefits, the energy marketplace must be transformed to encourage the large-scale adoption of both.

Public policy plays a big role in shaping that market. For energy efficiency and renewable energy to be deployed at a large scale, the private market must make significant investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy. Public policy can influence costs, demand and consumer behavior to encourage greater investment.

Ongoing innovation is also critical to transforming the energy market. Citizens, civic leaders and others can spur change by advocating for additional efficiency gains and energy generated by clean, renewable sources.

Our investments focus on three strategies:

Promoting policy reform

We support organizations seeking to promote energy-efficiency resource standards, as well as standards for appliance and equipment efficiency and renewable energy.

In addition, we fund work on policies that encourage utility investment in energy-efficiency programs and transmission policy reform for the Midwest and at a federal level. The aim is the implementation of programs and policies that support energy efficiency and renewable energy as contributors to meeting demand.

Bringing energy-efficiency retrofits to scale

We seek to demonstrate through grants and program-related investments that energy-efficiency retrofits can be brought to scale by addressing barriers such as financing, performance measurement and disclosure, marketing and behavior.

Supporting next-generation approaches

We help those working to push the bounds of what is considered possible and practical for efficiency improvements in the built environment, and support practices that drive innovation in the fields of energy efficiency and renewable energy.

Eligibility

Who may apply?

• U.S.-based 501(c)(3) organizations and their Canadian equivalents
• Government entities

Who will be competitive?

• We award support to organizations whose work aligns closely with our strategies and holds strong promise to bring about positive change.
• We award support to organizations that work nationally, across multiple states or at the regional or statewide level. Projects that are local in scope without clear replication potential rarely are funded.
• The majority of grants and program-related investments are made within the United States. We do not support projects outside of North America.

We do not fund:

• Environmental education programs or the development of curricula.
• Media projects unless they are tightly aligned with our grantmaking strategies and advance the work of our grantees.
• The construction or renovation of facilities or individual renewable-energy installations.
• The acquisition of land, other property or conservation easements for solely land-conservation purposes.
• The costs associated with designing and planning environmentally responsible buildings.
• Individuals.
• Primary scientific research.
• Research and development of energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies.
• International projects outside of North America.

Application Process

The Environment Program primarily accepts grant requests by invitation. However, if your organization’s work is consistent with the program goals, you may submit a preliminary application as a means of letting Environment Program staff learn more about your activities.

Please review the applicable initiative’s Web page and the application process it recommends.